Taking risk is natural for some, but in our experience most successful risk takers gradually developed their ability to leave comfort zones and take risk and we’ve asked them to share their experiences and advice below.

Madison Smith

Boldness and risk-taking never came naturally to me. It wasn’t until later in life that I began to understand the value of taking risks in life — of betting on yourself, and ultimately, of advocating for yourself. For me, healthy risk-taking is a form of self-love.

I remember being a nursing major in college and thinking “this is not me.” I switched my major to psychology and never looked back. Another defining moment came later down the line when I was nine months pregnant, sitting across from my boss at my marketing job. We discussed my proposed 12-week maternity leave — which she felt was too long — and when I asked about the possibility of working remotely, I was told it wasn’t an option. Read More>>

Javier Santiago

I’m still working on this ability all the time! It involves a lot of failure – and willingness to fail and make mistakes. Wholehearted attempts at things that make you feel vulnerable or might cost you. It’s what life’s all about and it’s the only way one can learn anything.

I think every time I perform I’m taking risks – trying things that seem out of my comfort zone and experimenting in front of a live audience. It’s easy to stay safe but I’m learning to enjoy the discomfort. Read More>>

Dr. Lisa A. Early

Growing up in a military family meant that change was a constant part of my life. Every three years, my family packed up and moved to a new place—sometimes across the country, sometimes across the world. With each move came the challenge of leaving behind close friends, familiar routines, and the sense of comfort that comes with stability. Read More>>

Lashaunda Lucas

When I think about how I developed my ability to take risks, it really comes down to a mix of faith, grit, and knowing that I was called to do more than just follow a path—I had to create one.

I was the first in my family to graduate from college, and that in itself was a huge leap. There wasn’t a roadmap or blueprint on how to navigate higher education. But instead of letting that stop me, I decided to let it fuel me. Every class I took, every challenge I faced, I knew I wasn’t just doing it for myself—I was setting the stage for those coming after me. Read More>>

Lily Quinn-Hendrick

When I was younger I used to always play it safe. I was too nervous to speak up, be a burden, or do something that seemed outside of what was expected of me. When I got to college and broadened my horizons, I had one professor who casually said “the worst someone can do is say no” and that phrase changed my entire perspective on taking risks. I still get nervous, but remember that all someone can do is tell me no, and that’s propelled me forward quite a bit! Read More>>

Zixuan Xu

For me, developing the ability to take risks came from a very simple realization: I had nothing to lose. When I first started my creative journey, I didn’t come from a place of comfort or abundance—I had to build everything from scratch. That gave me the freedom to experiment, because failure didn’t mean losing stability; it just meant trying again. Read More>>

Ritika Tripathee

My ability to take risks didn’t develop overnight it came with experience, observation, and a willingness to embrace uncertainty. Early in my journey, I realized that playing safe might keep me comfortable, but it would never push me forward. So I started with calculated risks small steps where I weighed the downside but kept my focus on the potential upside. Each time I stepped out of my comfort zone and it worked, my confidence grew. And even when it didn’t, I treated it as a lesson instead of a failure.  Read More>>

Leon Dwinga

I grew up surrounded by risk. My parents ran a small home-building business, which meant my childhood was spent on construction sites where danger was part of the air I breathed. My dad would hand me a scrap of wood and nails just to keep me busy, but before long I was cleaning up after crews, moving materials, and even driving heavy machinery. Eventually, I was managing entire parts of projects. Read More>>

Ryan Von Smith

I think i developed that ability. Well, it didn’t happen overnight! I’ll tell you that! Lol, I first moved to Los Angeles at 23 years old. I’m from a small town in Pennsylvania, Scranton, PA, to be exact. I always knew I was meant for more, but didn’t know what or how. I never knew anyone who made it out of Scranton. I was miserable and drinking and unhappy. I finally said, “You know what, I’m moving.” And I moved from my apartment back with my mom, saved for 3 months, and moved to LA and didn’t turn back. Read More>>